Auburn vs. Alabama: Complete Game Preview

It is hard to believe, but it has been roughly 365 days already and the annual Iron Bowl meeting between Auburn and Alabama is on the horizon.

Alabama comes in with a 10-1 record and has itself in position to play for both the SEC and BCS championships. The surprising loss to Texas A&M just two weeks ago may turn out to be the best thing that could have happened to the Tide in lieu of last week's upsets of Oregon and Kansas State.

For Auburn, things have not gone so well. The Tigers are just 3-8 on the season, and their only wins have been against lightweights and FCS schedule fillers. To make matters worse, the program is under NCAA investigation and it may be in the market for a new coach by this time next week.

Because of all of this, Alabama is favored to win this game by more than four touchdowns, a number one would think impossible in such a rivalry.

Even with the miserable season that Auburn has suffered, a win over Alabama this week would right all the wrongs and ruin Alabama's season to say the least. However unlikely it may be, that's what the Tigers are thinking.

As for the Tide, this game is another golden opportunity to knock down their "little brother" from across the state and continue to build on the empire that is Crimson Tide football.

Players to Watch for Alabama

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Quarterback AJ McCarron was just starting to garner Heisman attention when Alabama hit the toughest stretch of the season a month ago. He has found it to be a tough road and will be looking to bounce back from a pair of mediocre performances.

His main target will likely be freshman Amari Cooper. If the Tide can find Cooper and Kenny Bell deep in the Auburn backfield early on, this game could get out of hand early as Auburn will be forced to respect the passing attack.

On the ground, Alabama running back Eddie Lacy has improved with every game as he has slowly recovered from early season ankle issues. Lacy is the feature back and could get the ball upwards of 20 times this week.

Alabama Will Win If...

The key to this game for Alabama is very simple. Did the Tide learn a lesson from the Texas A&M loss or not?

Alabama got brought back down to earth by "Johnny Football" and the Aggies but was given a second life, so to speak, after Oregon and Kansas State went down.

If the Tide plays Alabama football and stays focused on the greater picture without getting caught up in the moment that will be senior day, this should be an easy win.

Offensively, the game will be all about holding on to the ball. Alabama has lost the turnover battle 5-1 in the last three games after leading the nation through the first eight games.

On defense, Alabama must be prepared for Chizik and the Tigers to throw the entire playbook at them. Auburn has been known pull out all the stops against the Tide in the Chizik regime and everything short of an old-fashioned "fumblerooski" should be expected.

Auburn Will Win If...

Auburn can pull the biggest upset in the history of this storied rivalry if absolutely everything goes its way.

The Tigers must be able to pass the ball effectively and consistently in order to free up Mason and McCalebb on the ground.

The trick plays we previously mentioned must be both timely and effective.

Auburn really needs to be plus-three in turnovers just to stay in the game.

Most importantly, Auburn has to match the Tide step for step through the first half. If the Tigers believe in themselves and can hang around until the sun goes down in Tuscaloosa, there just might be a chance for Auburn in this one.

If the Tigers can't, this game could be a reincarnation of the 38-0 beatdown that Georgia handed them just two weeks ago.

Prediction

By all rights, Alabama should cruise to an easy victory on Saturday. On paper and through what we have seen on the field this season, there is no reason to think that Auburn can keep this game close.

Nonetheless, it is a rivalry game. Many consider this to be the most hate-filled rivalry in the game, and strange things happen from time to time when emotions are as high as they will be Saturday afternoon.

But at the end of the day, I would expect that Alabama will take the field knowing that it was delivered an amazing gift last week with the upsets that took place.

There is a renewed sense of opportunity in Tuscaloosa this week. That opportunity smells like blood and Alabama has been circling its wagons around it since late Saturday night.

Auburn will come ready to play this week, and it will show for about a quarter-and-a-half. After that, the Tide will make any necessary adjustments and slowly pull away from the Tigers.

By the time the clock shows triple zeros, Alabama will have put the Tigers out of their misery and the 2012 season will be quietly folded away in the back of the Auburn record book.